No one likes to be unprepared. Whether caused by severe storms, downed trees, or even a car accident, power outages are unpredictable and can range from a slight inconvenience to downright dangerous.
Over the past few years, battery technology has emerged into the mainstream, with dropping costs and increasing efficiencies. This offers solar owners another way to protect themselves from the issue of losing power.
Learn More: What Happens to Your Solar Panels in a Power Outage?
Despite declining costs, a battery backup system can still be very expensive, and a generator is dependent on outside fuel sources that can give off harmful fumes. Depending on your situation, one of these options may be perfect for you. If not, what about a combination of the two?
Let’s take a look at how solar batteries and generators can work together to keep your home or business running no matter what situation comes your way.
How Much Can You Back Up with Batteries?
The power goes out for days, but life goes on as normal as your battery-backed solar system powers your entire home or business. While this probably sounds great to every solar owner, unfortunately, it’s not a reality for most – at least not yet.
While costs have declined to make batteries far more accessible in recent years, their price still limits their use. For many people, solar batteries are used only for powering essential devices and appliances. These could be things like medical equipment, lighting, a refrigerator, and a sump or well pump for a few hours.
It costs a lot of money to install enough batteries to store the energy needed to run your home or business normally. If you’re adding batteries to an existing system, you may need to purchase new inverters and other equipment in addition to the battery itself. Check out our battery calculator to get an accurate size and cost for a system that best meets your goals.
